October GEPL programming info for K-5 students. Sticker club, cookie storytime, book club, art activity, thank a veteran kit, storywalk, learn about bats, and haunted library! 

This new Safe Kids class is an interactive class that focuses on thinking safely and making safe choices. Come join the fun in first aid, road safety, car safety, and weather safety! September 9-30 and October 2-23. $45

Come join the Butterfield Park District in its first-ever Fall Fest on October 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Family event with arts and crafts, food vendors, inflatables, inflatable maze, petting zoo, pumpkin picking. Questions Deena@butterfieldpd.com. Cost: $20 Ages: 2 - 12 years of age

Join families for coffee and bagels while you hear from Jess Trayser on understanding and supporting young children. 9:30-11 a.m. Saturday, October 9, at First Presbyterian Church, Wheaton. Free event. Register with jess@parentingfromthefloor.com

Join Glen Ellyn Executive Director Jeffrey Anderson at the Glen Ellyn History Center, 800 N. Main Street, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 9. Anderson gives some insight into what was happening at the Chicago Tribune 153 years ago. The Great Chicago Fire left Chicago in ruins. An estimated 300 people died, 17,000 buildings were destroyed, and 100,000 were left homeless.  Yet on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 1871, citizens found hope on the front page of the Chicago Tribune which declared, “Chicago shall rise again.” $5 Adults; $3 GEHS members. Call (630) 469-1867  director@gehs.org

Students and families are invited to try bocce ball at an inclusive event hosted by CCSD 89 Special Olympics. The event will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, October 18, at Glen Crest Middle School. At the event, students and their families will get a chance to learn about and play bocce ball.  This free event is open to all families.

Kiwanis Club of Glen Ellyn is bringing back the popular fish restocking program for 2024! The Kiwanis have partnered with the Glen Ellyn Park District this year to restock Lake Ellyn.

The event will start at approximately 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 19, at Lake Ellyn. The fishery delivery is scheduled for 9 a.m. You are welcome to observe this kids can play at beautiful Lake Ellyn Park until the fish release begins. Please bring a canned good to help replenish the Glen House Food Pantry.

The Glen Ellyn Historical Society is getting into the Halloween spirit as actor and historian Terry Lynch presents his “Haunted History” program at the Glen Ellyn History Center, 800 N. Main Street, at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 25.

During this program, Lynch will explore the entertaining and chilling tales of the Midwest, including stories of the S. S. Eastland, Brookfield Zoo, Fort Dearborn Massacre, and John Dillinger.  $10 Adults;  $8 GEHS members;  $5 students.  Call 630-469-1867 - check www.gehs.org.

Are you a mom in need of connection or struggling with postpartum challenges? Create a community with other mothers to discuss the good, bad, and messy aspects of motherhood. 10 a.m. October 11, November 8, and December 13, at Faith Lutheran Church, 41 N. Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Open to all new moms with infants younger than 4 months old.

The B. R. Ryall YMCA in Glen Ellyn recently opened a new Teen Center designed as an after-school hangout location for middle- and high-school students. The Teen Center is open 3:45 to 6:45 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The Center has a safe environment with staff and available activities, including video games, ping pong, lounge, and games. More info: www.brryallymca.org/teen-center/

Northern Illinois Food Bank is for everyone in Northern Illinois to have the food they need to thrive. A nonprofit organization and proud member of Feeding America, the Food Bank serves 13 counties, providing nutritious food and resources with dignity, equity, and convenience.

Metropolitan Family Services DuPage offers high-quality, comprehensive, early childhood programs to support your child's social, emotional, and intellectual development including working directly with Early Intervention and School Districts to provide services to children with disabilities. All early childhood programs are free of charge. 

Metropolitan Family Services DuPage ofrece servicios preescolar de alta calidad para apoyar el desarollo de su hijo en la areas sociales, emocional, y intelectual, lo que incluye trabajar directamente con los distritos escolares y intervención temprana para brindar servicios a niños con discapacidades. Todos los servicios para educación preescolar son gratuitos.

Community Consolidated School District 89 conducts developmental screening periodically during the school year for children from the age of 2 years 10 months through 5 years old. The screening includes the use of the Ages & Stages Questionnaire 3rd Ed., Ages & Stages: Social-Emotional 2nd Ed., and play-based assessment of developmental skills. Vision/hearing screenings are provided as well. More info: https://www.ccsd89.org/screening

Join a community-driven Family Council in your Region to:
- Share your family experiences
- Hear from other families
- Advocate for your community
- Be compensated for your time

Who can join? Parents and caregivers of children eight and under

Learn more: https://www.birthtofiveil.com/councils

Únase a un Comité Familiar impulsado por la comunidad en su región para:
Compartir sus experiencias familiares
Escuchar a otras familias
Abogar por su comunidad
Ser compensado por su tiempo

www.birthtofiveil.com/comites

The Community Partners Play Date is a time for families with children ages 0-5 to enjoy the library and learn about resources in their community. This will take place from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on the last Friday of each month at Wheaton Public Library. The first play date will be Friday, January 26.

It is not always easy to visit a food pantry, especially if it is your first time. People's Resource Center is launching a free online, weekly ordering option that will make your visit easier. 

Silver Access is a DuPage Health Coalition program that can help you pay your monthly premium. (Silver Access is not health insurance.)

Helps DuPage County residents apply for medical financial assistance programs (does not pay bills).  Available to people with and without insurance. All past and present medical bills qualify for review, including hospital, ambulance, doctor's office, and those in collection. Services are free; provided in-person or virtually with appointments available. 

For more information, contact Daisy at (331) 806-3065 or dcorpus@accessdupage.org 

Access DuPage coordinates low-cost comprehensive health care, including primary and specialty care, medication, and hospital services for those who don’t have a pathway to insurance, thanks to the help of community partners and volunteers.

Requirements: Must live in DuPageCounty, meet income guidelines, and be able to provide proof of income and address. Call (331) 716-7571 to complete the application by phone or for more information, visitaccessdupage.org/accessdupage. 

Struggling to pay for medication? The DuPage Dispensary of Hope may be able to help. The DuPage Health Coalition is partnering with DuPage County to offer this service at no charge to those who qualify. If you are low-income and uninsured some of your medications may be available for free.

Do you receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits? Your child may be eligible for free Head Start or Early Head Start Services. Head Start is free, comprehensive services for children from birth to five years old.